The Vietnamese government is “engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations”, according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. 

A report from the commission recommends the country be designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the US State Department. 

The ruling Communist Party of Vietnam has been accused of jailing pastors and religious freedom activists, as well as using physical violence against Christians. This has been particularly prevalent against Montagnard Christians in the highlands of the country. 

Its Law on Belief and Religion mandates that anyone wanting to practice their faith or attend religious gatherings must do so with a government-registered organisation. National security codes have also been weaponised against Christians and religious freedom advocates, according to the report. 

Y Thinh Nie was sentenced to nine years in prison in May for refusing to join the state-controlled church, under laws against “undermining national solidarity”. He was also accused of supporting an exiled human rights organisation which the government has labeled as a terrorist group, a designation condemned by advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.  

In October, pastor Y Nuen Ayun was detained for the fourth time. He has been accused of organising prayer sessions to oppose the government.

The report details “multiple reports of authorities using physical violence and threats to intimidate and interrogate house church Christians and coerce individuals to renounce their faith or affiliation with their church” and join a government-approved group. 

Vietnam is currently on the “special watch list” of countries which meet some but not all of the criteria to be deemed a CPC. 

Thirteen countries are on the CPC list. Nigeria was added in October, after continuing violence against churches and schools. Other countries include China, Iran and Russia.